The House of Hasson Page 7

  * - * - * - *

  The streets of the city were deserted when the group made their way to the spaceport. On the edge of the huge landing field was a small one-story building used eleven years ago as a headquarters for Prenth negotiations. They approached it cautiously.

  They entered the appointed room. Jesh counted six different military officers, along with several Prent diplomats, looking old, dignified and very worried. Senator Jennesthal stood in front, acting as though a simple misunderstanding had taken place and as though all would soon be under control. Jesh knew he was behind this scheme.

  Llatt was there. He made his way over to Jesh. "Jesh, you're alive! They wouldn't let me leave; I had to set down again. The rumor is flying all over Prent that you had been beaten to death."

  "The rumor is false," said Jesh.

  Senator Jennesthal came forward then. "Jesh, I don't think you realize how explosive the situation here has become." He spoke the language of Prent, without offering translation to the Kinthaldans, as though none of this concerned them--an insult. Jesh was annoyed. "This outbreak of political unrest makes Kinthaldith unsafe. Your life is in danger, and we're asking you come with us until it is over."

  "No," said Jesh. Behind him, he heard one of Lord Eshlar's own men clumsily translate Jennesthal's words into Kinthaldan.

  "Our concern is for your safety, as a citizen of Prent. You have been condemned to death here," Senator Jennesthal continued.

  "That ruling has been overturned," said Jesh.

  Jennesthal observed his yinnesthan. "Those are slave clothes, Jesh."

  Jesh was embarrassed and angry, but tried not to show it. These people would never understand. "A slave is one who serves unwillingly. I choose to serve."

  "Prent can't allow its citizens to be seized by foreign powers or mistreated."

  "I haven't been."

  "I've heard differently," said the senator, stepping forward. He took hold of the collar at the back of Jesh's neck. "Show me," he said.

  He knows, thought Jesh, pulling away from him. But the senator caught Jesh's shoulder with his hand.

  "Are you ashamed?" asked the senator.

  Jesh gave in, and the senator unlaced Jesh's shirt at the back and opened it. The lash marks were still purple and gruesome looking. The men from Prent were astonished and angered. The senator released Jesh, who re-tied his shirt.

  "So, you aren't being mistreated," said the senator, smugly.

  "I was convicted in two courts of law for the murder of Lord Demmin, but my masters found me innocent. I find that quite gratifying,"

  "If you're innocent, why did they beat you?"

  "My punishment was just, according to the laws of Kinthaldith, and I am satisfied. Does Prent now serve as a moral conscience for all planet's laws?"

  "Your planet's laws are barbaric."

  "Our laws are our concern, not yours. In coming here with an army, you break your own laws."

  "Do you know how much trouble you're causing Prent right now?"

  "Yes! I do. And I intend to cause a lot more. I anticipated this kind of action from you. I have a colleague back on Prent who is, even now, meeting with the Council of Planets to make a report of Kinthaldan grievances against Prent."

  "What grievances?"

  "Eleven years ago, the treaty you tried to make with Kinthaldith went against the Council's codes. You tried to use the lure of space technology to bribe my planet into altering its cultural and economic system to conform with Prent ethics."

  "In what instance?"

  "After watching the video recordings of the treaty conference, I think my list of 'instances' is quite complete. I'm sure the Council won't approve of your culture fixing policies."

  "All of our efforts would have gone to improve the conditions of the 'servant class,' people like you, Jesh."

  "I'm deeply touched," said Jesh, "but I don't want nor need your help."

  Senator Jennesthal stared at Jesh. "You must really hate us. What have we done to you to turn you against us? We educated you, made you a citizen. We gave you freedom!"

  "Freedom? What is freedom? You forced me to take your citizenship then barred me from my home-planet. When I arrived on Prent, public opinion was already so against Kinthaldith that my master was killed in the streets. But the news-lines ran 'Slave Boy Strikes Back at Master During Beating.' It was a lie, but you encouraged it. You convicted me of murder, then let me go. You used the incident to quarantine my home planet and keep it from applying to the Council for membership. Now you're using my return as a catalyst for a take-over--a convenient power-grab for a small planet, rich in resources and completely defenseless. You'd make slaves of us all!"

  "We can't allow you to upset the situation here on Kinthaldith, Jesh. You'll have to come with us," said Jennesthal.

  "You have no grounds to force me to return to Prent," said Jesh.

  On a signal from the general, four soldiers moved toward Jesh. "I'm sorry, but we have no choice," said Jennesthal.

  It was an illegal seizure, and Jennesthal knew it. Jesh knew he wouldn't try such a thing, unless he planned to make sure Jesh wouldn't have a chance to report it. The army could easily dispose of Jesh and blame it on the Kinthaldans. Jesh turned to Eshlarterral. "Don't let them take me," said Jesh desperately, in Kinthaldan.

  Lord Eshlar nodded and signaled his men. All twenty drew their swords. "He is ours," he said. The soldiers stopped and drew their guns.

  Jesh hated himself. If it came to violence, he knew the Prenth would win. It would be a slaughter. He had only made it harder for them--twenty deaths instead of one. To take Jesh, they'd have to kill every Kinthaldan in the room, plus Llatt, who was a witness. Then they could still kill Jesh and blame it on the Kinthaldans. Would the Prenth bend the law that far?

  For a moment, no one in the room moved. They seemed unsure of what to do. Jesh thought quickly and decided to play a vague suspicion. He addressed Jennesthal. "I found an audio-tape of my trial on Prent. Maybe you'd like to explain how my testimony got mistranslated. My colleague has also submitted that tape along with his report to the Council. Before I left Prent, I sent copies of the same tape and the Council report to thirty major news agencies on Prent. Surely my death would spark the public's interest in old issues. I'm sure the press would broadcast it along with the implications, even though the courts refused a re-trial."

  Jennesthal paled, and Jesh knew then that he had been involved in his murder trial. The general also looked very uncomfortable and exchanged a nervous glance with Jennesthal. So, they were both in league.

  The general spoke. "I see no point in continuing this matter. This citizen has made his choice. We are withdrawing." The general and his men exited with great show. The senator stared at Jesh silently. Jesh returned his stare. At last, the senator also turned and left.

  The diplomats came forward then, doing their job. They apologized profusely to everyone who seemed available for it. The Prenth would continue the quarantine and wait for another chance, but this battle was over. Jesh would have the time he needed to strengthen his position and appeal to the Union Council for support.

  Llatt approached Jesh. "Come back with me to Prent," Llatt persuaded. "It's over."

  "I can't," said Jesh. Kinthaldith had to learn her own true value. This was a battle Jesh could now fight.

  "Are you sure you'll be all right?" Llatt asked doubtfully; he had seen the scars on Jesh's back.

  "Yes," said Jesh, knowing that the worst was over for him on Kinthaldith. "But I would feel better if you could get in contact with the news media and tell them what happened here and maybe get a report out to the Council as well--in case Jennesthal gets any more ideas."

  "I will." Llatt looked past Jesh at the stern faces of the Hasson guards, and Lord Eshlar's richly colored, elaborate clothing. It was a different world here, and Jesh felt a gap begin to separate him and Llatt. "Will I see you again?" Llatt asked.

  Jesh couldn't reply, still not sure what future Kintha
ldith held for him. "I'll get in contact with you when things have settled down here. We'll have to have dealings with Prent eventually, and your help would be very welcome."

  Llatt shook his hand. "Good luck, then. I'm off to Prent with the story of the year. I'll be expecting to hear from you."

  "You will." Jesh watched his friend leave.

  * - * - * - *

  The ride back to the Hasson was quiet. Everyone seemed in deep thought. Some of them looked at Jesh with awe. He had beaten Prent--another impossible thing, and he had done it all with words. Even Risser was unusually quiet, as though considering the day's events.

  Jesh sat in the back of the wagon, looking out at the mountains. Most of the others had ridden horses, a talent Jesh had forgotten, living in a technological world. Jesh was a little embarrassed that they had to bring the wagon along just for him.

  It was late afternoon, and the sun felt surprisingly warm. Jesh let the cloak fall off of his shoulders. The breeze was cool, but tolerable. Jesh felt a pang of regret, realizing that he may never be able to return again to Prent. But the beauty of Kinthaldith more than compensated for the loss. There were still so many things to do. Jesh thought of the technology of Prent and their scientific advances. There had to be a way of bringing that to Kinthaldith without destroying what made Kinthaldith good. Perhaps now he could find a way to help do that.

  Jesh watched the silent farmland roll by, enjoying its beauty. Kinthaldith seemed once again a friendly and familiar place, far removed from the busy planet of Prent. It was a place at peace with itself. A flutter of birds flew overhead, heading north. Spring was starting.

  Jesh was content. After eleven years, he was home again.

  THE END

  ABOUT MEREDITH SKYE

  Meredith Skye lives in the Land of the Midnight Sun, in Alaska. She loves to travel. She loves swords, castles and ancient lifestyles. She loves Celtic art and music. She's a vivid dreamer and many of her dreams come back to life in her stories.

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